Washington [US], February 28 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Saturday warned Iranian forces to lay down their arms and surrender, offering immunity or face “certain death,” after the Middle East descended into full-scale conflict following a joint military operation by Israel and the United States targeting multiple sites across Iran.
In a televised address posted on Truth Social, Trump confirmed the launch of a military operation aimed at Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure. “To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces, and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or, in the alternative, face certain death. So, lay down your arms, you will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death,” he said.
Declaring that the “hour of your freedom is at hand,” Trump urged Iranian citizens to remain sheltered, warning that “bombs will be dropping everywhere.” He described the operation as a historic opportunity for the Iranian public to “take over” their government.
“Finally, to the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don’t leave your home. It’s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be, probably, your only chance for generations,” he said.
“For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it. No President was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a President who is giving you what you want. So let’s see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force,” he added.
Trump said the military action was necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, asserting that it is the consistent policy of his administration that Iran “can never have a nuclear weapon.”
“Iran is the world’s number one state sponsor of terror and just recently killed tens of thousands of its own citizens on the street as they protested. It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. I’ll say it again, they can never have a nuclear weapon,” he said.
He claimed that despite repeated attempts to reach an agreement, Iran refused to renounce its nuclear ambitions and sought to rebuild its program while developing long-range missiles capable of reaching Europe and the United States.
“We warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons, and we sought repeatedly to make a deal. We tried. They wanted to do it. They didn’t want to do it. They rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can’t take it anymore. Instead, they attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing long-range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland,” Trump said.
Trump also vowed to “annihilate” the Iranian Navy and dismantle regional militant networks. “For these reasons, the United States military has undertaken a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. We’re going to annihilate their Navy. We’re going to ensure that the region’s terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world,” he said.
Israel and the United States launched the joint military strike on Iran, codenamed Operation Roaring Lion, targeting military sites, missile production facilities and areas near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s office, according to The Times of Israel. The name was reportedly chosen by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the Israel Defense Forces had used a different internal designation.
Several ministries in southern Tehran were reportedly struck, and residents heard powerful explosions following the preemptive military action targeting multiple sites, including locations in the capital. Iranian officials vowed a “crushing response,” warning of strong retaliation.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that missiles were launched from Iran toward Israeli territory following the joint US-Israeli strike. According to the IDF, defensive systems were activated to intercept the incoming threat, highlighting Israel’s layered missile defense capabilities. The Home Front Command issued precautionary mobile phone alerts instructing residents in affected areas to seek immediate shelter.
Iranian media reported that mobile phone lines were cut in parts of eastern and western Tehran and that internet connectivity weakened in some areas.
The direct exchange follows weeks of high-stakes nuclear negotiations and mounting military posturing in the region. While the full scope and impact of the strikes are still being assessed, the developments signal a significant escalation in the broader confrontation between the two countries. (ANI)
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